I was searching the web on Theravada Buddhism and discovered this forum. I am so happy to have found it!!

About me in brief: I am 35 years old and live in the state of Ohio. I am a Christian and ministry student who is studying to be a Pastor. I am a Methodist. That said, I have a deep love and admiration for other faith traditions and have been studying comparative religion for over ten years now; reading sacred texts from the world's major religions as well as travelling to experience them directly. You could say that I have a deep love for religion, faith, and the sacred in general. I cite people like Thomas Merton and Huston Smith as my heroes. This is why when I start graduate seminary next year, in the Master of Divinity program I plan to specialize my MDiv in "Interreligious Contexts" which is a Methodist program to cultivate and improve interfaith relations. This is one of my greatest passions, and to be able to go to school for it and hopefully one day work in that field is a dream come true for me!!

More particular to this forum; I have a deep love for the wisdom of Buddhism and the Theravada tradition. I was first exposed to it in a deeper way when I read Bikkhu Bodhi's "In the Buddha's Words". I then began to devour his other translations, and now have read nearly all the works that he did of the Pali Canon. This has had a tremendous impact on me spiritually.

I have often told my friends the almost paradoxical, yet totally true statement that "Buddhism has made me a better Christian and Christianity has made me a better Buddhist."

I very much look forward to taking part in the discussions on this forum!!

"If beings knew, as I know, the results of giving & sharing, they would not eat without having given, nor would the stain of miserliness overcome their minds. Even if it were their last bite, their last mouthful, they would not eat without having shared." Iti 26

If you have asked me of the origination of unease, then I shall explain it to you in accordance with my understanding: Whatever various forms of unease there are in the world, They originate founded in encumbering accumulation. (Pārāyanavagga)

Exalted in mind, just open and clearly aware, the recluse trained in the ways of the sages:One who is such, calmed and ever mindful, He has no sorrows! -- Udana IV, 7

Welcome to Dhamma Wheel.My teacher, SN Goenka, has taught many thousands of people ordained in the Christian, Jewish, Muslim, Hindu, Jain religions a non-sectarian approach to the Dhamma and vipassana meditation. If this is something you are interested in exploring - then I recommend it.www.dhamma.orgkind regards

Ben

“No lists of things to be done. The day providential to itself. The hour. There is no later. This is later. All things of grace and beauty such that one holds them to one's heart have a common provenance in pain. Their birth in grief and ashes.” - Cormac McCarthy, The Road

Learn this from the waters:in mountain clefts and chasms,loud gush the streamlets,but great rivers flow silently.- Sutta Nipata 3.725